jeep tends to wander

GSRswapandslow

GSRswapandslow

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Location
Taylorsville
98 xj
4.5" rc life (add-a-leaf)
rr steering
33x12.5 eldorado mtz's on 15x8 black steel wheels

all parts were bought brand new, and installed by brandon at rides. after the steering install, it was also aligned via him.

when i first got it, there was an obvious dead spot...the lift actually tightened it up....and then i did the steering and it was tightend up farther, but now the jeep wants to wander around when at speed.

any ideas as to what i could/should change to get it to track straight/true?
 
awww.ruggedridgesales.com_images_products_18050.82.jpg
 
You'll get a little dead spot with this set up., I know I did when I ran it. When you turn the wheel the drag link TRE rotates some before it starts to push on the tie rod. A spacer on the TRE helped with the rotation but did not eliminate it.
Like Black Bear said, check the caster, should be around 5 degrees or so. Too little will definitely contribute to the wandering.

Do you have a spacer on the TRE?
 

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no, those didn't come with this...but i did see them on the site those pictures come from, but they want $6 each! But...i suppose that'd be worth it...so i might order some.
 
I think my track bar is the issue....i had a buddy get in and wiggle the wheel...and i can see the frame mount side of hte track back wiggle along with it...everything else seems to be tight.

so...which track bar is the go-to choice for an xj?
 
GSRswapandslow said:
I think my track bar is the issue....i had a buddy get in and wiggle the wheel...and i can see the frame mount side of hte track back wiggle along with it...everything else seems to be tight.
so...which track bar is the go-to choice for an xj?
Click to expand...
This guy seems to get good reviews and is somewhat local.

Or This.
 
Are you saying the end on the track bar is loose or the mount itself is loose. If it's the mount just tighten up the bolts. When I had a drop bracket for my trackbar it would loosen. Periodically I would have to go and tighten it. Finally I got sick of it and welded it on.

If it's the end on the track bar just replace the end. No need to buy a whole new bar.
 
foreman1063 said:
You'll get a little dead spot with this set up., I know I did when I ran it. When you turn the wheel the drag link TRE rotates some before it starts to push on the tie rod. A spacer on the TRE helped with the rotation but did not eliminate it.
Like Black Bear said, check the caster, should be around 5 degrees or so. Too little will definitely contribute to the wandering.
Do you have a spacer on the TRE?
Click to expand...
that looks plum scary if somebody got the bright idea to make their own and made them incorrectly. Please keep in mind if anybody wants to booty fab these that they must not be to tall and interfere with the TRE mounting height. To tall and they want let the TRE seat properly in the tapper, leading to premature wear, loosening of the mating surfaces by wallowing out the knuckle ect.. Could be bad karma done improperly. Overly angled steering from the box to the knuckle is the root cause. Thats a bandaid I suggest a small drop pitman arm so the push from the steering box is lateral rather than a downward angle motion that cause the TRE to try and load up and down rather than accross like it should.
 
i'm not going with a different setup until i swap to a new front axle...seeing as it's only been on there like 2 weeks lol

I can do a drop pitman arm i suppose, anyone know who makes a good one?



and as for the track bar...the braket is tight, but you can see the rod end move when the steering is turned, it's still got a cotter pin in it and the nut is tight...it's wore out. but i figured...why not upgrade if i've gotta replace it. the stock one is $55...a little more and i can have a new one...

woudl ya'll go with the ironman fab one...for like $180 shipped...or just get the rough country one that includes a drop bracket for like $150 shipped?
 
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